To become a merit badge counselor, complete an [http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/28-501F.pdf Adult Application] and the [http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/34405.pdf Merit Badge Counselor Information Form] and be approved by your [[local council]].

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Merit Badge Counselor Information</big>

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Name ___________________________ Age ______ Business phone (___)____________

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[[Local councils]] use the information from this form to identify [[merit badge counselors]], the [[merit badges]] they are willing to coach, and other pertinent information. This form also includes the merit badge counselor's agreement to follow the merit badge requirements, and other BSA policies. This form, [http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/34405.pdf available online in PDF format], should be submitted to the BSA local council along with the Adult Application.

|width="25%" valign="top"|<small><small>Is this subject in line with your job, business, or profession? If yes, give brief information on the reverse side.</small></small>

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|width="25%" valign="top"|<small><small>Do you follow this subject as a hobby, having more than a "working knowledge" of the requirements? If yes, give brief information on the reverse side.</small></small>

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|width="25%" valign="top"|<small><small>If not, do you have any special training or other qualifications for this subject? If yes, give brief information on the reverse side.</small></small>

Local councils use the information from this form to identify merit badge counselors, the merit badges they are willing to coach, and other pertinent information. This form also includes the merit badge counselor's agreement to follow the merit badge requirements, and other BSA policies. This form, available online in PDF format, should be submitted to the BSA local council along with the Adult Application.

Follow the requirements of the merit badge, making no deletions or additions, ensuring that the advancement are fair and uniform for all Scouts.

Have a Scout and his buddy present at all instructional sessions.

Renew my registration annually if I plan to continue as a merit badge counselor.

Qualifications of Counselors

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Persons serving as merit badge counselors must be registered as a merit badge counselor with the Boy Scouts of America. They must be men and women of good character, age 18 or older, and recognized as having the skills and education in the subjects for which they are to serve as merit badge counselors, as well as the ability to work with Scout-age boys.

Register merit badge counselors by using the adult leader application. All merit badge counselors must be approved by the council advancement committee. Merit badge counselors are not required to pay a fee if they are only registered as merit badge counselors.

There is no restriction or limit on the number of merit badges an individual may be approved to counsel for, but they must be approved by the committee for each specific merit badge.

There is no limit on the number of merit badges a Scout may earn from one counselor.

An approved counselor may counsel any Scout, including his or her own son, ward, or relative.